With Love From Chapel - summer Term - Week 1

In the early hour of Easter Monday, Pope Francis died and passed on to his eternal life in heaven. The news somehow rippled through the world bit by bit as people in all time-zones heard the news one after the other, and filled many people with genuine sadness. The fascinating thing was that this was not just in Roman Catholic circles, not even just among Christians. No, it was a general and global sadness. 

Pope Francis was quite a special guy. Together with my Year 8 students, I found out that he had been the first pontiff to choose St Francis of Assisi as his papal name: a saint who was known for his humility and his deep connection to all creatures on earth as well as the entire natural world. Pope Francis decided to forsake the glamorous residence in order to live in a modest guest house, was often seen taking time for individuals, especially children, and did not shy away from controversy when he felt he needed to protect minorities in our society. 

No doubt, before long someone will find fault with the things he did and said - while at the same time waiting with baited breath who will rise out of the Conclave as the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He did, after all, ruffle some feathers and stirred some traditions.

There can be no doubt that Pope Francis was someone who tried his hardest to live a genuine and authentic life, where he showed that he takes Jesus’ words and deeds very seriously. He did not compromise on these beliefs or the love he held for God. This has become a rarity these days - too often, we are prepared to shift our own values, water down our beliefs and compromise what we know to be right because we fear unkind reactions and like to avoid conflict.

“I believe in the kindness of others, and that I must love them without fear”, Pope Francis once said. 

That’s very difficult - but great to aim for, don’t you think?